Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Odessa, TX
VS
Overland Park, KS
🏆 Overland Park leads 13 of 21 categories
Odessa
Texas
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,293
Violent Crime Index
83
Population
113,353
Overland Park
Kansas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3
Median Household Income
$100,876 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
49 ✓ Safer
Population
196,676 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Odessa, TX
Pros
Homes cost $168k less ($193,500 vs $361,800)
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 39°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.1)
Rent averages $96/mo less ($1,282 vs $1,378)
Cons
Median income trails Overland Park by $29,583/yr
Higher unemployment (6.1% vs 3.2%)
Overland Park, KS
Pros
42% less violent crime than Odessa
Households earn $29,583 more per year on average
More college-educated — 62.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (3.2%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (184.4 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $361,800
Higher rents — median is $1,378/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Odessa
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 92.1 vs 93.3 (100 = US avg)
Odessa
Median Home Value
$168k less
$193,500 vs $361,800
Odessa
Summer Heat
5.8°F warmer
July avg high 94.0°F vs 88.2°F
Overland Park
Median Income
$29,583
$100,876 vs $71,293/yr
Overland Park
Violent Crime
42% lower
184.4 vs 316.3 per 100k
Overland Park
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
3.2% vs 6.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Overland Park, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.1 ✓ Cheaper | 93.3 |
| Median Home Value | $193,500 ✓ Lower | $361,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,282 ✓ Lower | $1,378⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,293 | $100,876 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1%⚠ High | 3.2% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.0 min | 19.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 3.2% | 19.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 85 | 63 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 | 49 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 88 | 84 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | — | A (125) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | — | 13.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 18.4% | 62.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.0% | 97.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | UTPB STEM ACADEMY | Blue Valley |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.9°F ✓ Warmer | 38.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.0°F ✓ Warmer | 88.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 40.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.9" ✓ Less | 13.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 113,353 | 196,676 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 38.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 29.4% ✓ More | 22.0% |
| Over 65 | 9.9% | 16.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Odessa's cost of living index is 92.1 vs Overland Park's 93.3 (US average = 100).
Odessa is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Overland Park leads 13 of 21 categories. Odessa wins 8 and Overland Park wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Odessa to Overland Park or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($193,500 vs $361,800 median home), income ($71,293 vs $100,876), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Odessa, TX and Overland Park, KS are about 648 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.